The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

“Of course I know that staying in the capital and being transferred out are worlds apart. Once you are transferred out, it will not be easy to return to the capital. Once you are in the local area, you will have to rebuild all your relationships. The road will definitely not be as easy as in the capital. However, if you do not make a decision, you will suffer the consequences! You have not experienced the chaos at the end of a dynasty, so you cannot understand my worries.” Zhang Ping’an’s expression was relatively calm, but his furrowed brows showed his dilemma.

His consideration was based on weighing various factors; he was truly uncertain about the situation in the capital.

Zhou Pu's numerous vices already show signs of a tyrannical ruler.

Xiaoyuer is also a decisive and straightforward person. Although he is reluctant to leave the capital, he knows that his father is not someone who speaks carelessly and is the most steady person he can be.

After thinking for a moment, he suggested, "Father, why don't we wait a little longer and see how things go after Miao'er is buried? If Cui Rong is ultimately chosen as empress, it means that His Majesty is also a person who is completely unable to judge people and cannot distinguish right from wrong. He already harbored resentment towards our family because of Miao'er's matter, and he secretly plotted to kill us. Who knows how many more obstacles he might cause in the future? It's better for him to leave the capital. At worst, he can become a regional official!"

After saying that, seeing the thoughtful look on his father's face, Xiaoyuer paused, then changed the subject and continued:

"But if it is either my cousin from the Qian family or Consort Yang who ultimately ascends to the position of Empress, it will prove that His Majesty still has some sense of propriety in his actions and still harbors some fear and reliance on the powerful aristocratic families. We can observe for a while longer before making a decision. After all, our foundation is mainly in the capital. Once we leave the capital, we will have nothing left and will have to start all over again!"

People are cheap when they leave their hometown, but things are expensive when they leave their hometown. The same principle applies to being an official; connections are extremely important.

Little Fish isn't lacking the courage and ability to start over, but having an existing foundation naturally makes things much easier.

The study remained quiet for a while. Xiaoyuer didn't urge him, just waiting for his father to think everything through and make the final decision.

After a long pause, Zhang Ping'an suddenly raised his hand and tapped the table lightly and rhythmically, a hint of determination in his eyes:

"Alright, I'll listen to you. We'll make a final decision after the matter of choosing an empress is settled. It did chill me to the bone that he sent Cui Ling to assassinate Miao'er from behind, but from another perspective, from the emperor's point of view, I can understand it. There's no right or wrong, just different perspectives."

However, if the emperor lacks even the basic ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, cannot stand firm in his own thoughts, has no independent judgment, only listens to slander, and abandons the art of checks and balances, then problems with the empire are inevitable sooner or later. It would be better to transfer him to a military governorship; at least he can do some practical things for the people, and if anything happens, we will have the power to protect ourselves.”

“Alas, His Majesty has indeed been lax in governing the country these past few years. If it weren’t for you old ministers like Father helping him, how could he have so much energy to indulge in alchemy, and how could he live so comfortably? How many emperors throughout history have been able to live as freely as him?” Xiao Yu’er had to admit this.

This is also one of the reasons why he has been working hard to build a good relationship with the Crown Prince and wants the young Crown Prince to ascend the throne as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, Xiaoyuer regained some confidence. "Although I don't know how Cui Rong bribed the Director of the Imperial Observatory to speak well of her to His Majesty, we also have a Crown Prince. Even if His Majesty doesn't seem to value this son much, he is still the Crown Prince. Whether it's His Majesty or the court officials, they will still have to consider the Crown Prince's opinion to some extent when it comes to the matter of establishing an Empress."

“Hmm, what you said makes some sense. Let’s wait and see. I really can’t hesitate any longer,” Zhang Ping’an said calmly.

"I've always felt uneasy, ever since Miao'er was born. Perhaps his birth was just the beginning. The reason I had your men send him to Guazhou in the northwest was to make plans in advance. If things get really bad, I'll..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Ping'an shook his head and stopped talking. Xiaoyuer had some doubts and wanted to ask, but was stopped by a wave of his hand. "Don't ask any more questions now. Let's wait until the matter of establishing an empress is settled before we talk about it!"

"Yes!" Little Fish remained calm.

“Someone still needs to keep an eye on Miao’er’s funeral. Madam Li is too heartbroken right now, so as her husband, you should go and comfort her and understand her feelings. Go out and get busy first. I’ll take a good look at the map in the study. Now that we’ve already come up with this idea, we can’t fight an unprepared battle.”

Zhang Ping'an had thought it through. Even if he were to be transferred to a military governorship, he would make sure to secure a suitable place for himself, preferably one that would allow him to form a mutually supportive relationship with the Northwest. He absolutely could not be dismissed by a few words and sent to some godforsaken place.

It's not just for myself, but also for the future of my children and grandchildren, and for my relatives and friends.

When Xiaoyuer came out of the study, the house had already been rearranged by the steward. Since it was not a major funeral, the white banners and other items were simply arranged to show that someone in the family had passed away.

"Young Master, the servants have just informed all the mansions, and they all replied that they will come over once the date is confirmed. Also, the young master's coffin has been delivered. It was a ready-made coffin that we bought at the coffin shop. The materials aren't particularly good, but it's acceptable. Would you like to take a look?" The second steward stepped forward and reported cautiously.

After such an incident, they were all afraid that Xiaoyuer would get angry and bring bad luck upon the innocent bystanders.

But Xiaoyuer was easier to talk to than the steward expected. After looking down at the small coffin in the main room, he didn't say anything else, nodded, and went to Li's side.

Beside the coffin, there was an elderly woman who had been hired to help with the child's burial; she was withered and had a blank expression.

After Xiaoyuer left, she packed her things and went to ask the housekeeper, "I've finished packing everything here, housekeeper, would you like to come and take a look?"

It means they're preparing to leave and are taking the opportunity to ask for their wages.

When faced with the old woman who had come to help, the second steward immediately changed his arrogant demeanor, putting on a very high air. He casually glanced into the coffin with his hands behind his back and found that the child had been taken care of very cleanly, dressed in clean little clothes, and had his face, hands, and feet washed and made up. He didn't look so scary anymore, and he was quite satisfied.

He raised his chin slightly and nodded, instructing, "Go to the accounting office and get the money. Don't talk about it after you leave, understand?"

"Understood, I've been in this business for years, I know the rules," the old woman said slowly, then turned and followed the servant to the accounting office.

After leaving the Zhang family and traveling some distance, they encountered someone blocking their way. The old lady didn't ask any questions; it was obvious they knew each other. She followed the person and got into an inconspicuous mule cart.

"Are you sure the child is dead?" The man didn't waste any words; his face was hidden behind the carriage curtain, so it wasn't easy to see.

The old woman said respectfully, "It's definitely dead, completely dead. The time of death matches the bone structure and the baby hair. It's correct."

"Alright, I understand, get off!" The person in the mule cart waved his hand, and the old woman got off the mule cart again, with a silver ingot in her arms.

Watching the other party's mule cart drive away, and touching the hard silver ingot in her bosom, the old woman couldn't help but reveal a genuine smile on her blank face. Who cared who they were? The fact was that her child was dead. It would be even better if she could make a windfall. Ordinary people couldn't live well in this world!